Ever since kindergarten, I knew I liked girls.
I had crushes—real ones—but didn’t yet understand what that meant for my life, or how others might see me.
Then, in elementary school, I learned the word: lesbian.
And I learned to hide.
My instinct already knew—it wasn’t safe.
So I became the “best friend” to the girls I liked, afraid the truth would cost me the friendship.
Luckily, as I got older, I found others like me.
Even though it was still taboo, I started to see glimpses of our stories—through music, TV shows, and quiet, secret conversations.
In college, my roommates and I started the first underground lesbian group on campus—by taping handmade posters in the women’s restrooms.
That chapter felt like liberation.
We could finally be ourselves—even if just in the shadows.
We could talk about our dreams and our futures.
We had each other’s backs, no matter how our families saw us.
But still, many of my relationships ended the same way:
Their parents found out.
Then came the tears, the lies, and the breakups.
When I moved to the U.S., I chose San Francisco because I wanted to be close to freedom—a place where queer people could hold hands without being stared at.
At my first Pride Parade, I nearly cried.
I couldn’t believe that being gay could be something to celebrate.
I started coming out casually at work—mentioning my “girlfriend” without making it a big deal.
When the U.S. legalized gay marriage in 2015, I ran into the streets to celebrate.
Even though having a life partner still felt like a distant dream.
And in 2019, when Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize gay marriage—I couldn’t have been prouder.
And what made it even better?
Meeting someone courageous enough to love me as I am—and to love herself as she is.
Someone patient enough to walk beside me as I confronted my own fears around marriage.
Someone I can be silly with—who adds the rainbow color to my life.
It’s never been the same.
Now, two years into my marriage, I’m deeply grateful for all the stories, struggles, and movements that made this moment possible.
Yes—love is worth celebrating.
Happy Pride. 🌈🌈🌈
Love,
Wen
P.S. The day of my marriage was truly THE 10 out of 10 moment in my life!
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